Mattress and bed



UNITED STATES PATNT OFFICE.

F. ELDER, OF IVINNSBORO, SOUTH CAROLINA.

MATTRESS AND BED.

Specification 0f Letters Patent No. 29,066, dated July 10, 1860.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, F. ELDER, of `Winns boro, in the district of Fairfield and State of South Carolina, have invented a new and Improved Combined Mattress and Bedstead; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

Figure l, being a plan of my mattress and bedstead combined; Fig. 2, a bottom view thereof, Fig. 3, an end elevation thereof; Fig. 4, a vertical section of the same, in the plane indicated by the line af, Figs. 1, and 2; Fig. 5, an end view of the mattress separate; Fig. 6, a side View of a portion of one of the bedstead posts; Fig. 7, a transverse sect-ion of one of the posts, in the plane indicated by the line y y,

Like letters designate corresponding parts in all the figures.

My invention consists in an improved method of connecting a mattress immediately with bedstead posts, without the use of bedstead rails, and without the employment of mort-ises and tenons for uniting the same, while the whole bed is rendered Very strong, firm and convenient, and as compact as any bed in use.

The peculiarity of the mattress, consists in the construction and arrangement of its frame. Two side pieces, or strips, A, A, are united, in the form of a parallelogram, with two end pieces B, B, the dimensions of the posts being such as desired. The side and end pieces are generally dovetailed and glued together. Two other strips C, C, are secured, through intervening blocks c, c, (Figs. 2, and 4,) at their ends, outside of, and parallel with, the end pieces B, B, substantially as shown. These outer strips are shorter than t-he mattress frame, so as to allow a space, at each end, equal in width nearly or exactly to the width of the bedstead posts intended to be employed; and they stand out from the strips B, B, nearly or exactly an equal extent; so that there is, at each corner of the mattress, a notch or open space E, (Fig. 2,) to receive the posts D, D, either flush with the frame of the mattress, or projecting somewhat beyond the same, as any one may prefer. These corner notches, or

spaces, are of the utmost importance in combining a mattress with bedstead posts, withl out the use of bedstead rails. They are essential, to steady the posts, to impart the requisite firmness to the bed, and to help sustain the fastening, by furnishing two right-angled abutting sides to each post, as shown.

The kind of fastening for uniting the posts to the mattress frame, is not essential. Any kind which is conveniently applied in the corner spaces will answer the purpose. The best kind within my knowledge, is that which I have represented in the drawings, and which I will here briefly describe, although I lay no claim to the invention thereof, by itself. Wedge-sockets N, N, of cast-iron, are first secured, by two screws L, 71., each, respectively in the corner notches E, E, generally to the strips B, B, either upon the surface thereof, or by letting into notches formed therein to receive them. The wedge-notches g, g, in said sockets, are

narrowed from bottom to top, as shown, and

are of dovetail form in cross section. Oorresponding cast-iron wedge pieces l), P, are then respectively attached to the posts D, D, by screws 27,1'. (Fig. 6). These wedge-pieces fit accurately in the wedge-sockets N, N, by inserting them from below upward; and their positions on the posts are such as to cause said posts to fit closely in the corner notches, or spaces, E, E, in the mattress frame and be sustained with greatly increased firmness and strength thereby.

For greater convenience in inserting and taking out the posts, I attach to the mattress frame what I term, false posts,7 or legs, I I, (Figs. 2, and 4,) arranged and operating substantially as follows: I usually locate them in the spaces between the end strips B, B, and C, C, hinging, or pivoting, one end to the mattress frame, while the other end is free to turn down into a vertical position, when to be used; or to be turned up and shut out of the way into the mattress frame, as shown in Figs. 2, and 4. This is their ordinary position. But when it is desired to insert or withdraw the posts, the false post, at one end, is turned down into a vertical position; and its length being such as to support the mattress a little higher than the regular posts used will sustain it, as indicated by red lines in Fig. 8, the posts are readily joined with the mattress frame by their fastenings, by any one, with the utmost ease. Then the other end of the mattress is supported temporarily in the same manner. After the posts are inserted, or withdrawn, the false posts are4 again turned up out of the way, till required for the same purpose, another time. There may be either one, (as shown,) or two, of these false posts, at each end of the mattress; generally one will be found suiiicent. They may be adjustable in length, or extent of projection, so as to adapt them to any height of post, or any kindk of fastening used.

The mattress may be formed inside of the frame in any convenient or desired manner;

and offany suitable materials. I prefer that represented in the drawings. Slat-s F, F, are placed across the bottom of the frame, being sustained by lip, or ledge, strips a, a, secured to the inside of the side framepieces A, A, in the usual manner; and on these slats mattress springs are situated,be ing secured in place by cords in the usual way. Over these springs, canvas or other cloth is stretched, as at m, Fig. 4. Then a thin layer of hair L, is laid over that, and

^ the whole finally secured together by a top coveringn n, of canvas, or other cloth,

n stretched over, and nailed to, the mattress plicable to any kind of post, high or low,

and of any size or shape. The peculiar inode of forming the corner notches, by adding the end st rips C, C, with blocks c, c, behind, renders the construction of the mattress frame cheap and simple, and enables the notches to be adapted, or changed, to different sizes of posts, while the outward appearance is the same as that of any bedstead, with a mattress on it. If a French style of bedstead is desired, the outer frame pieces A, A, and C, C, are made of ornamental wood, and form, so as to exhibit Aa handsome appearance. The posts are so readily separated from the mattress, and may be packed so closely therewith, that the whole is especially convenient for transportation.

Staples or loops 0l, d, are driven into the posts, in proper positions on the inside thereof; and corresponding hooks f, f, secured to the head and foot boards G, H, being inserted therein, a very convenient mode of attaching said head and foot boards is thereby produced. This device also serves to assist inrkeeping the posts upright.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Let-ters Patent, is

The combination and arrangement of the frame A, B, strips C, with mattress L, cor-V ner notches E, and false posts I, substantially as and for the purpose specied.

In witness that the above is a true specification of my improved combined mattress and bedstead, I hereunto set my hand this 19th day of May, 1860.

F. ELDER.

Witnesses:

J. S. BROWN, R. F. OsGooD. 

